Alabama

Mittelstaedt ready to wear many hats for Stars

T.J. Mittelstaedt had nine homers and 17 doubles in only 76 games at Brevard County. (The Huntsville Times/Dave Dieter)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- For T.J. Mittelstaedt, it's like he's a teenager all over again.

One day he's at third base. The next, left field.

He might fill in at second base if necessary, and right field won't be a problem, either. He's played there plenty, too.

"When I was 13 and playing travel ball, the coaches wanted me to play everywhere because I could play everywhere," Mittelstaedt said. "We had a bunch of good guys in the infield, so instead of sitting someone who was hot, I'd go in the outfield.

"Fifty percent outfield and 50 percent infield. That's pretty much how I've been since high school."

It's also how the former Long Beach State standout has been able to work his way to Double-A since being a 44th-round draft pick by the Brewers in 2010. The 24-year-old made his debut with the Huntsville Stars on Tuesday night in Birmingham, poking a double and scoring their lone run in a 5-1 loss.

He played third in his Stars' debut. He moved to left Wednesday -- going 0-for-4 with a walk -- as Huntsville beat Chattanooga 5-1 in the first of a six-game homestand at Joe Davis Stadium.

"He's a good player, a heads-up player," Stars manager Darnell Coles said. "He can play a number of places. It's never a bad thing to be versatile."

Some players make their way up the minor league food chain based on sheer numbers. Mittelstaedt has held his own on that count, but the number of positions he can play has given him added credibility.

Before being called up from Brevard County, he'd played 39 games in the outfield and 37 in the infield. Last year at Wisconsin in the Midwest League, he even pitched in a couple of games.

"That was strictly a saving the bullpen kind of thing," laughed Mittelstaedt, who still works on his knuckleball occasionally in the outfield.

Because he plays in so many spots, time management is essential in Mittelstaedt's day-to-day preparation. He makes sure he never goes two straight days without getting work in the infield, just in case he's needed.

Mittelstaedt would just as soon stay in the outfield or play second base, though he said "the ability to change the game at third with a big play can get me going."

Regardless of what number is beside his name on the lineup card, the 5-foot-10, 185-pounder has shown an inclination to hit, often with surprising power, and steal bases.

Last year, the left-handed batter hit .293 with 12 homers and 28 steals in 113 games. In 76 games at Brevard County, he poked nine homers, 17 doubles and seven triples to go along with 14 steals.

"He finds a way to get his at-bats," Coles said. "If you get locked into a certain position (in an organization), and there's someone in front of you who can really play, it can be tough. But he's able to keep his options open, which not everyone can do."

Having watched his team struggle to score runs in recent games, Coles can appreciate what Mittelstaedt brings to the plate.

"He's got a good idea of what to do as a hitter," Coles said. "He takes pitches, he's not afraid to hit with two strikes. He's a welcome addition to our team."

Mittelstaedt, for his part, is happy to be here.

"It's the next step, and it came a little sooner than expected," he said. "It's a real good chance for me to prove what I can do."